George Friend hopes next term’s Championship team of the season includes a few Boro stars - because it will mean the team are up at the top.

This year’s Professional Footballers’ Association divisional team, revealed this week, included three players each from promoted Leicester and Burnley and two more from third-placed Derby.

And Friend, Boro’s PFA dressing room rep, said: “It would be nice to see a few Boro players there next year, definitely.

“It would mean that we had had a successful season because the XI usually reflects the teams that have done well over the whole season.

“And there’s no reason that can’t happen for us. There’s a lot of very good players in our squad and I think they have good reputations throughout the league and from playing in higher leagues as well.

“A little more success and a little more consistency from the team and those players will be far more prominent in people’s minds when it comes to casting next year’s votes.”

The defender - who won the Boro supporters’ club player of the year award this week - says the PFA team is a good guide to the Championship’s best.

“To be honest, it is hard to argue with the team the players have picked,” he said.

“Over the season they are the players that have been the most consistent and that means they will have done well against almost everyone that is voting.”

Every player nominates a 1-11 and also votes for the main Player and Young Player of the Year gongs, won by Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard.

Friend revealed that four of his own picks made the line-up.

“I picked Kasper Schmeichel and Wes Morgan of Leicester, Andy Reid of Forest and Ross McCormack,” he said. “That’s not a bad spine to a team.

“Schmeichel and Morgan are part of the title winners and have been very strong at the back.

“Andy Reid has been very influential and I’m sure it is no coincidence they have dipped while he has been out injured.

“And Ross McCormack - its a shame we never got him here because he is a very good player, he has scored a lot of goals and Leeds will do very well to hold on to him.

“The team is pretty fair to be honest. It is hard to dispute anyone who is included.

“Maybe a few who feel a little bit agrieved. There will be a few who must have been very close.

“But it is generally a good guide. Most of those players could easily play in the Premier League. A lot of them have.

“I’d like to think we could have a few lads in next year.

“If we stamp some authority on the league and have a good season then as well as celebrating as a team hopefully we could have a few individuals honoured in that way too.”